Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I'm pricing out different toons with a 115 on it and one of the options is to put sea star hydrolic steering on or not. It is a $1200 option that if it is important I want on, but if not I would use that money to put some other bling on it! I'm looking at a benny with twin elliptical performance package. Of the dealers I've talked to some say yes, most of the boats in this size have got it and others say it is not that important. I will be doing some tubing with it with my kids but I'm not worried about being able to turn on a dime or anything like that. As far as my wife driving it will probably be so few times that shouldn't be a factor. Looking foward to all of your opinions and comments.

I dont have it on my 115 and I dont have a problem, but then again , I can bench 430# so it may help .

I know when I had a 115 on my boat it had a bit of tourqe steer and thats when I started thinking about hydro steering. Now I have a 90 and it's alot better so I held off. I was looking at the baystar steering vs. the seastar. The baystar is rated for up to 150 h.p. max. I know I saw it on alot of boats at the boat show but I don't know who all offers it from the factory. The baystar kits are only 500-600 bucks to buy yourself. You could see if they offer it at a savings for your 115. If not try it without the hydro steering and add it yourself if you think you need it in the future.

I am so sold on hydraulic steering. Although they have their own little pecadillos (leaks, bleeding etc...) the benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.

It is always smooth as silk, with no 'cable drag'...especially on tricky and long pontoon rigging.

Zero steering torque is another huge comfort advantage, not to mention the safety aspect of zero torque. I have seen poorly adjust cable steering when somebody lets go of the wheel and just about flips the boat!

I have owned several SeaStar and Baystar systems and loved 'em all. Matter of fact, since I just upgraded to a big-block, I had to get a new SeaStar. As a result, I am just about to put up my Baystar (used about 5 months) system for sale. I will be asking $300 and they really aren't too hard to rig if you have basic mechanical skills. Lemme know if you are interested, you can have first dibs!
Todd

I have mechanical steering on my 24' toon with a Johnson 112. After a day on the water my shoulders and neck are killing me, it normally is pretty rough in the bay and I'm sure that has alot to do with it but I still want the hydraulic steering.... I'd say get it

Its the best $1200 you could spend. One finger steering. Torque steer is virtually eliminated, as Todd said. Had it on my Manny. It worked great. I have Mercury Verado Power assist on the Premier. I think the Teleflex is a better sytem. If your considering it, your thinking enough ahead to want to buy it. Carl aded it to his, he can tell you the difference it made in his. I will not own one without it, after having it. Just my 120,000 cents worth of advice.
Bryan

I had a 20ft toon with a 90 hp...no hydraulic steering. Then bought a 22 footer with a 115 with hydraulic steering. Big difference! Great for tubing with the kids. Highly recommend it! My wife loves it as well.

If you can afford it, go for it. Having zero steering torque is worth its weight in gold. I can let go of my steering at wot in a turn or straight and the steering wheel never moves one little bit.

My five year old grandson is a real believer in the SeaStar system. He says it turns very easy into the lower 30's. He says tight turns in the high 30's take strong arms, and he's a very strong for his age.

And Cayden says sometimes he's going to let his granddaddy drive his new boat.

Granddaddy just wishes the power steering assist wasn't $2K installed.

I was told when ordering my South Bay that if the motor is 115 or bigger that its a huge benefit. I love it with my Mercury 4 stroke. Its literally effortless steering.

Our Benny came with SeaStar hydraulic steering and it was ok. I complained to my dealer numerous times and they replaced everything twice. Then I added the power assist pump and it was a world of difference but then the helm made noise. Soooooooo the dealer got another helm from Bennington and while they were installing it I just happened to look at the one they removed, and it was a Baystar unit. You can't mix SeaStar and Baystar. Dealer got the SeaStar unit and it's been fine ever since. I think you should go for it but without the power assist you won't turn the wheel with 1 finger. I think Bryan thought you meant power assist.

cwag911 wrote: I think Bryan thought you meant power assist.

10-4. I did! Sorry... Thanks, Carl!

Thanks for the replies guys there were great! It appears the overall feeling is put hydrollic steering in, its worth the $1200. I will keep this as an option. Thanks again for he input and if anybody has thoughts i would appreciate them.